POLICE are appealing for the public’s help following a large barn fire in the Crewkerne area.

The fire service alerted police to the large blaze in a barn at a farm in Haselbury Road at about 3am on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

There was various equipment, machinery and tools stored in the building and significant damage was caused by the fire, which is being treated as deliberate.

A police spokesman said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have information to help our enquiries or who may have seen any vehicles in the area."

Two fire engines from Martock and one from Crewkerne were initially mobilised following numerous 999 calls from people about the barn on fire in Merriott at just after 3am.

More back-up support was sent out as part of the building collapsed due to the fire.

Two calves were rescued from the building, but a further 12 were pronounced dead at the scene.

The barn contained about 70 tonnes of hay with about 50 per cent lost in the blaze.